Bangladesh (MNN) – A routine ministry trip turned into a midair emergency – and nearly canceled a key pro-life training.
When conflict recently broke out between the U.S. and Iran, a team with LIFE International was en route to Bangladesh to conduct their Redemptive Conversations workshop.
Luke Salik, LIFE International’s pastor of partner care, says, “Halfway through that flight is when the U.S. and Israel did the joint attack on Iran. We didn’t find out until I got woken up by the intercom there and the pilot explaining the situation and diverting us to Cairo rather than Doha.”
Training with LIFE International partners in Bangladesh. (Photo courtesy of LIFE International)
The LIFE International team eventually had to return to the U.S. But in Bangladesh, ministry partners were already gathered. Rather than cancel the training altogether, the local leaders pivoted.
“When they found out that we weren’t able to make it, they decided to hold the training anyway.”
Salik says, “The leadership team, they’re from several different countries in South Asia, they kind of banded together and thought, ‘Hey, what can we do together to help equip a lot of these pastors or ministry leaders who are coming together?’”
The leaders went on to conduct training sessions with the attendees — turning a potential setback into a locally led effort.
The training equips Christian leaders to support women facing crisis pregnancies in light of biblical hope. Its tools are also applicable to many other crisis counseling situations.
Salik explains, “We’re spending time giving people tools to love people well, listen to people well, and be a place where they can safely talk about their situation.”
(Photo courtesy of Theodore Goutas/Unsplash)
At its core, pro-life trainings with LIFE International point people to lasting hope and make known the Father’s heart for life.
“The goal…is to specifically bring the redemptive work of Christ into the story,” Salik says.
Pray for the leaders in South Asia who stepped up to continue this training, that God would strengthen and equip them for further ministry. Ask the Lord to open doors for future life-affirming trainings to happen safely and effectively. Finally, pray that women facing crisis pregnancies would ultimately encounter the hope of Christ and choose life!
Learn more about LIFE International at lifeinternational.com.
Header photo: Training with LIFE International partners in Bangladesh. (Photo courtesy of LIFE International)
